Why Japanese?

     Growing up, I never had an interest in learning Japanese. Partly because I had no one to practice with at home, and partly because I saw no use for it in my future. I was uncertain about whether I would ever move back after college (yes, this is a thing among children who grow up in Hawaii). People would always tell me, "If you're gonna work here one day, you better learn how to speak Japanese," but what's the point in learning Japanese if I wasn't going to work in Hawaii? 

     
     However, after only one week of college, my entire perspective had changed. I knew I had to move back. I missed my beautiful home, my paradise. From that moment on, I knew I should take Japanese classes at Columbia. I knew I should take advantage of the resources available (while fulfilling nontechnical course requirements, of course). 


     Initially I thought that taking a language at Columbia would be a breeze compared to my other courses, but I was wrong. Learning an entirely new language definitely takes time--from 1 hour and 15 minute classes four days a week (with daily quizzes at that), to one hour of language lab every week. But I enjoy it. I love having the ability to communicate with a new group of people whom I'd never thought I'd ever have the opportunity.